Courtesy – Tara Murray, Star Weekly

Sunbury found some form with the bat as it sealed a finals spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3.

Needing only a win from the final round against bottom Sunshine Heights, the Roar’s fate was in its own hands.

Having struggled with the bat at times this season, chasing Sunshine Heights’ 138 which is made on day one, looked like it may have been a tricky task.

But the Roar’s batters were up to the task, finishing 3-140 with 30 overs to spare.

Roar coach Jace Carton was pretty pleased with the performance which locked up fourth spot.

“We got the runs pretty convincingly, only three down,” he said.

“We were only three down which was the most pleasing thing. A couple of the top order were able to get some runs which is crucial at this time of the year.

“They had a really good attitude and it was really impressive how they were able to be patient about it and did what they needed.

“We now move onto the finals next week.”

Kevin Barker top scored with 52 and Sajith Kalumpriya finished 49 not out.

Carton said they both showed their experience in their innings, which they needed at this time of the season.

The finals berth comes after the side narrowly missed out last season, their first season in division 3.

Carton in his first year as coach said making finals was always the aim this season.

“It has been really impressive as a whole club,” he said. “The twos finished fourth and play finals.

“Our under-18s in their first season are playing in a grand final today [Sunday] and all the senior guys are coming down.

“The ones and twos hard into finals full of confidence. Hopefully we can get two or three flags for the club.”

Sunbury’s first XI faces Point Cook in a knock out semi final at Point Cook on Saturday and Sunday, with a grand final spot on the line.

Carton said they were confident they could get the job done

“We had a good game against them at home,” he said. “They have some good quality players.

“If we play the best we can we think we can beat anyone and we go in really confident.”

Jason McGowan will face a test on Thursday night as he recovers from a broken finger sustained in the second last match.

Carton said they would test a few things, but hoped he would be good to go.

If McGowan gets through, Carton said they will be at full strength.

“Everyone else is available, so we’ll hopefully go in full strength,” he said. “The team that we’ve had throughout the year is ready to go and there won’t be much change.”

Grand United will play East Keilor in the other semi final. Both had final round wins against Pascoe Vale Hadfield and Williamstown Imperials respectively.

Courtesy – Tara Murray, Star Weekly

Sunbury moved into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 top four despite a couple of nervy moments against Pascoe Vale Hadfield on Saturday.

On top after day one, the Roar needed to dig deep to get the six points after another batting collapse hurt them dearly.

The Roar resumed at 2-23 in reply to Pascoe Vale Hadfield’s 115.

The Roar would pass Pascoe Vale Hadfield’s total, nine wickets down before being bowled out not long after for 127.

Roar coach Jace Carton said there were some pretty nervous moments as the wickets started to fall.

“I don’t normally get nervous, but I was nervous,” he said.

“Mick [Treweek] batted really well to get us over the line.”

Treweek was supported well by Isaac Carton and Jason McGowan, who both held up ends while Treweek ticked the scoreboard over. Neither scored a run.

Jace Carton admitted that Jason McGowan wasn’t going to bat if he didn’t need to.

“We knew that Isaac could hold up and end with Michael,” he said. “He did really well.

“Jason broke his finger last week while playing. We didn’t expect him to bat, but we needed him to, to get the win.

“He was able to hold up and end.”

Treweek top scored with 51 as just three Roar players reached double figures.

The win and other results has the Roar in fourth place, headed into the final round where it plays bottom side Sunshine Heights.

Carton said while it’s good to know their finals fate is in their own hands, there is still a lot of work to do.

He said they spoke about the fact that they were in the top four, without having fired with the bat this season.

“We’ve got the batting talent there,” he said. “We have not executed though.

“We have done a lot of batting at training to try and rectify it. We know what the problem is and hopefully we can fix it come finals.

“Our bowling is fine, our fielding is pretty good, the issue is with the batting, myself included, we haven’t made enough runs.”

Carton said the group was pretty positive heading into the final round and believed it could make a grand final if it was to bat well the next few weeks.

Carton said McGowan would miss the final match of the season and would be a test if they make finals. He said otherwise everyone else was fit and available for the final round.

The Roar’s second XI won outright on Saturday to all but ensure a home final come first week of the finals.

The club’s under-18 team, which has also made finals in their first season, were playing for a home final on Sunday, after deadline.

“There’s a pretty good feeling around the club,” Carton said.

It’s hard not to be excited after such a big weekend of cricket at Sunbury Roar. With one round to go in the home and away rounds all three Sunbury Roar VTCA teams look to be finals bound.

We have two awesome events coming up. All Past Players are being welcomed next Saturday at Clarke Oval and we have the Reverse draw the following week.

Make sure you free your calendar, see you all there. If you can’t make it to the Reverse draw make sure you get your ticket by contacting the club.

Courtesy – Tara Murray, Star Weekly

Roar finally on the board

Sunbury was able to put it all together for the first time this Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 season on Saturday and reaped the rewards.

Having had a disappointing start to the season, the Roar put out a strong performance against Pascoe Vale Hadfield.

It was a big occasion for the Roar as the first XI played on the turf wicket at Clarke Oval for the first time.

Roar playing coach Jace Carton said it was good to see the side put it all together.

“It’s the first game they’ve played well for the whole day,” he said. “The games we’ve lost we’ve been right in those games, we just haven’t played for 100 per cent of the game.

“It’s nice to finally get the win and all the boys did their part which was really good.”

Carton said they spoke about the occasion and finally getting to play on Clarke Oval before the match, with most of the group having made the trek to Progress Reserve the last couple of seasons.

Pascoe Vale Hadfield won the toss and elected to bat. With neither side having played on the wicket before, it was going to be a test.

The Roar bowled Pascoe Vale Hadfield out for just 97 in the 39th over.

Stephen Treweek took four wickets, while Michael Treweek, Isaac Carton and Jason McGowan took three wickets each.

Carton said they were happy with that performance.

“Our bowlers bowled exceptionally well and we also fielded really well,” he said. “Everyone played their role and knew what their role was.”

Carton said despite chasing a low total, they were still weary of not making the runs.

“Chasing scores like that you can lose quick wickets,” he said. “To reach the score one down was really good.

“ Lachie Treweek and Sajith Kalumpriya (60 not out) had a good opening partnership with Kevin Barker making 20 not out.

“They did really well.”

The win has Sunbury sitting in eighth spot, three points outside the top four.

Carton said they hoped that this would kick start their season.

“We spoke about that after the game,” he said. “We’ve now got a win on the board and confidence and hopefully we can take that into this weekend playing Saturday and Sunday.

“We want to get back in the pack and be in the mix for the top four. We need four or five wins going into Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the VTCA T20 competition gets underway on Wednesday night. The Roar, which is in a pool group with Melton South Royals and Burnside Springs, will face Burnside Springs at Clarke Oval.

Clarke Oval – VTCA matches to commence this Saturday.

The long anticipated wait to play our first match on the new turf wicket at Clarke Oval is all but over. From all reports the preparations are on schedule with the grass being mowed and rolling commenced.

This coming Saturday we are fixtured to play Grand United in a 40 over VTCA Div 3, one day match at Clarke Oval, first ball to be bowled at 1 pm.

It has been a long few years in the making with a lot of hard work being done during this time including the decision to join VTCA, having to play at Coolaroo for two seasons longer than first planned, the many meetings and discussions with council and other Clarke Oval stakeholders, purchase of equipment, the list goes on.

Join me in thanking all those who made this possible.

We welcome all past players and those interested in coming down next Saturday to join us on this momentous day.

FYI: we have scheduled a past players premiership reunion day early next year, stay tuned for details.

Yours in cricket,

Marty Kelders.

VILLAWOOD EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

It is with great excitement that I can confirm that Villawood Properties have agreed to extend its major partnership with the Sunbury Cricket Club for season 2022/23 and beyond.

Villawood is committed to helping grow the Sunbury community through land development, but more importantly through community activities. Villawood recognises the role Sunbury Cricket Club plays within the Sunbury community and surrounding areas.

Over the past 5 years, Villawood has assisted our club in providing a family-friendly platform for the development of our junior girls, boys, senior women and men’s divisions.

With the appointment of a new coach, the turf wicket at Clarke oval and now the partnership with Villawood, the future looks brighter than ever.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan Doyle

SCC President